April 18: World Heritage Day

The World Heritage Day is observed every year across world on April 18. Observance of day aims to spread awareness importance of protecting and preserving various sites around world that have achieved world heritage status and having outstanding universal values. This year theme of the day is “Heritage for Generations”, emphasizing on inter-generational transfer of knowledge.

Background

The World Heritage Day was announced by International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) in 1982. It was approved by General Assembly of UNESCO in 1983, with an aim of enhancing awareness about importance of cultural heritage, monuments and to conserve them. ICOMOS was established on principles set in Venice Charter, also known as 1964 International Charter on Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites. There are total 36 (1 mixed, 7 Natural and 28 Cultural) UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India having special cultural or physical significance.

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2018